Tag: environment

Scotland’s summer starts with more bathing waters than ever before

  • Scottish bathing water season starts 1st June with more bathing waters rated excellent than ever before
  • Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Màiri McAllan, designates Wardie Bay and Fisherrow Sands as Scottish bathing waters
  • Designation brings the total number of Bathing Waters in Scotland to 89
    Improvements in water quality show long-term success but there is more to do
  • Water quality samples will be taken by SEPA across the season and results posted online to keep visitors informed
  • Locals and visitors encouraged to play their part in protecting and improving the quality of bathing waters

Scotland’s summers are known for both sunshine and showers – but whatever the weather the country’s environment regulator will be collecting and analysing water samples, predicting water quality and keeping beach users informed over the next three and a half months.

The Scottish bathing water season begins on 1st June and runs until 15th September, with 1,500 water samples taken by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) staff at bathing waters around the country. In 2023 locals and visitors have more options than ever to choose from – with one brand new beach joining the list, and the nation’s first re-designation following decisions by Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, Màiri McAllan.

Edinburgh’s Wardie Bay is the latest bathing water to join the list of 89 in total, following an application by a local community group.

It joins alongside Fisherrow Sands in East Lothian, which has been re-designated following improvement works to improve water quality. Both beaches will have their water quality formally monitored and reported and will receive an official classification for the 2024 season.

2023 not only sees the highest number of bathing waters ever in Scotland, but the highest number rated excellent for water quality – and a total of 98% of locations achieving a classification of sufficient or better.

Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, said: “As a result of our investment in protecting and improving bathing waters across Scotland we now have the highest number of designated Bathing Water sites ever, with 98% passing bathing water quality standards and more rated as ‘excellent’ than ever before.

“However, we are not complacent. We continue to work closely with SEPA and Scottish Water to monitor and improve water quality on our designated beaches and in our designated lochs, to ensure that as many people as possible are able to enjoy them throughout this summer and beyond.”

Ruth Stidson, SEPA’s Principal Scientist for bathing waters, said: “Scotland is renowned for its water environment and it starts the 2023 season with record-breaking number of bathing waters rated as ‘excellent’.

“The number of bathing waters that are now meeting the standard is a testament to the work of SEPA and partners over the years, driving investment and improvement in both rural and urban areas.

“Time at the beach can be active or restful, and for many it’s a budget-friendly day out – especially when it’s near to their home. Many living in coastal communities use them regularly for walking or quiet reflection, as well as wild swimming, paddling and water-based recreation. Visitors often plan a whole day around time near the water, including visits to local shops and cafes.

“This season our staff will take around 1,500 samples around the country, analyse them in our accredited laboratories, and post the results online. We also have a network of 30 electronic signs at bathing waters that can be affected by rain fall, where we post the predicted water quality by 10am every day so people can make informed decisions about whether to bathe or enjoy shore-based activities.

“We can also make people aware of any pollution events that may impact the water quality. This information is also available on our website and by calling our contact centre.

“The results of our annual sampling also show us where further improvements need to be made – allowing us to continue to deliver real progress in the coming years for the future of our water environment.”

Professor Simon Parsons, Scottish Water’s Strategic Customer Service Planning Director, said: “Scottish Water is committed to continuing to support the protection and improvement of Scotland’s rivers, coastal waters and beaches and we are pleased to hear from SEPA that there are more bathing waters than ever before and a record number rated excellent.

“We look forward to playing our part in ensuring bathing waters become destinations for people to enjoy Scotland’s fantastic coastal waters.

“Scottish Water has invested £2.7 billion in improving and maintaining the country’s public drainage system and infrastructure over the past decade to help improve our waters. Our Improving Urban Waters Routemap, which supports the national River Basin Management Plan objectives (92% good water quality by 2027), commits us to additional investment of up to £500m to further improve water quality.”

Coastal community spaces

Local blue and green spaces are integral to our physical and mental health. Managing them well can improve well-being and other social and cultural benefits for local communities and visitors alike.

Wardie Bay

Wardie Bay in Edinburgh is the latest location to be designated as a bathing water following an application from Wardie Bay Beachwatch and The Wild Ones who demonstrated that a large number of bathers use the water and there was community support for designation. Edinburgh Council supported the designation, accepting required duties around signage and beach cleaning.

During 2022, SEPA sampled and reported water quality at Wardie Bay due to high community usage of the beach and an active application for bathing water designation. Our evidence indicates that Wardie Bay is expected to meet bathing water standards. Now designated by the Cabinet Secretary, the beach will be formally monitored and receive an official classification for 2024.

Karen Bates, Wardie Bay Beachwatch, said: “It has taken much time and effort to achieve this result for the #wardiebay4bathingwater campaign. We can finally be delighted that Wardie Bay is to be a protected bathing water.

“We are grateful to Cabinet Secretary Mairi McAllan for her progressive decision and for support from Council members who surmounted the obstacles to designation at this complex site.

“We are grateful too that SEPA published the essential information for Wardie swimmers in 2022. Thanks particularly to all those who help protect Wardie Bay, who signed the petition, took part in the campaign film and contributed to the applications.”

Fisherrow Sands

Fisherrow Sands in East Lothian has been re-designated following a project to improve water quality. The location was de-designated in 2020 following five consecutive poor results.

Pressures included overflows from the drainage network and misconnections from homes and businesses to surface waters.

SEPA has worked closely with the Scottish Government, Scottish Water, East Lothian Council and wider stakeholders to drive improvements and ensure these issues are addressed.

Over £3 million has been spent on works to improve water quality. This includes upgrades to waste water pumping stations, resolving multiple mis-connections and improvements to the sewer network to reduce spills. Sampling evidence from 2021 and 2022 indicates that, following this work, Fisherrow Sands can meet bathing water quality.

Increasing interest in improving water quality

With growing public interest in the quality of Scotland’s water environment, the improvement in bathing waters is a testament to the work that has already happened – and the reality of the resources required.

In 2016, the first year of water quality classifications under the new Bathing Water Directive, 80% of locations were classified as sufficient or better, with 17 rated excellent and 17 rated poor. In 2023, that figure has improved dramatically, 98% of bathing waters are rated sufficient or better, with 38 excellent and two poor.

Our Scottish climate impacts on water quality – due to heavy rain washing contaminants off both rural and urban land and overflows from sewage systems. As a result, it is recommended that users do not bathe for up to two days after heavy rain – and beaches with SEPA electronic signs will warn against bathing when poor water is predicted.

SEPA has focussed on improvement plans at all poor beaches to identify the causes and work with partners to realise real change.

SEPA has ensured Scottish Water investment has been targeted at areas where it will have the greatest impact, with major improvements in water quality at locations that had long-term issues such as Irvine and Ayr, following projects to upgrade sewage systems, install new treatment and investigate mis-connections. Scottish Water has invested £24.5m on bathing water improvements since 2015, including £10m at Ayr.

In addition, Scottish Water has committed to installing monitors and publishing near real-time data on every CSO discharging to a Bathing or Shellfish Water by the end of 2024. SEPA will ensure this commitment is delivered.

SEPA officers have walked river catchments and worked with farmers, who have started using new practices and spent significant sums of money on additional slurry storage facilities and installing alternative means of livestock watering to reach compliance.

Some have gone even further than is legally required, by planting riparian zones which move their farming activities further away from the water’s edge. Past improvements have led to more than 90% of farms being compliant – an increase of 50% in ten years.

The two bathing waters classified as poor for 2023, Lower Largo (designated in 2022) and Kinghorn (Harbour) both in Fife, have improvement plans in place.

SEPA is carrying out investigations at Kinghorn to identify the cause of this recent deterioration and further monitoring is planned. At Lower Largo, Scottish Water have been carrying out work to help assess bathing water impacts from the local drainage network. This work includes camera surveys, sampling and testing for misconnections from properties, which will help inform future improvement options.

SEPA will continue to monitor and report water quality and determine how best to drive water quality improvements over the next few years.

My Beach Your Beach project shows improvements in litter and dog fouling

My Beach, Your Beach launched in 2018, and over the last five years has supported bathing water quality improvements at seven Scottish beaches, in partnership with local community groups and beach managers.

You can find out more, watch the campaign film and read the report at My Beach, Your Beach (keepscotlandbeautiful.org)

One Year to Go: Capital counts down to LEZ introduction

As Glasgow introduces Scotland’s first LEZ today, Edinburgh is counting down to the introduction of our own Low Emission Zone, which will restrict the most polluting vehicles from driving in the city centre, benefiting everyone’s health.

The City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian have joined together to highlight the positive impact clean air can have on health and wellbeing.

Restricting the most polluting vehicles will significantly reduce harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicles by up to 50% within the LEZ. Further air quality improvements are expected beyond the boundary, improving public health around the city.

While Edinburgh is moving closer to consistently meeting the minimum air quality standard set by the Scottish Government, it has some way to go before it meets the World Health Organisation’s targets.

Reducing air pollution is especially important for those most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution, including children, older people and those with underlying health conditions.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “As Glasgow begins to enforce its LEZ, and with one year to go until our own LEZ comes into force, it’s a chance to reflect on the reasons for introducing an LEZ in Edinburgh.

“Research has shown that air pollution negatively affects everyone’s health and we have a responsibility to address this. In two weeks, we’ll mark Clean Air Day, which this year focuses on the fact that poor air quality not only affects our physical health, but our mental health too.

“By restricting the most polluting vehicles in the city centre the LEZ will create a healthier, more welcoming place to be – and we’re expecting benefits to spread across the wider city. I’m encouraged by the fact that compliance with our emissions standards continues to increase, and I’d like to thank people making the switch to cleaner modes of transport.

“However, there’s still work to be done, and over the next year we’ll be supporting even more people to consider greener, more sustainable ways to travel. I want to use the extra year Edinburgh has to get ready for this change, and ensure residents and businesses are fully prepared.”

Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian, said: “The links between transport and health are clear and the LEZ will help to improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities for the people of Edinburgh.

“Tackling air quality, alongside commitments in the City Mobility Plan and associated draft Action Plans, will have multiple benefits. Health and wellbeing will be improved as a result of reduced levels of air and noise pollution; improved road safety; more inclusive opportunities for people to travel by walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport; and the increased vibrancy of local communities and economies.”

Earlier this year, data analysed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) revealed that overall compliance with Edinburgh’s LEZ emissions standards had increased from 48% to 78% over the last six years. Compliance is particularly high amongst buses (97% – Lothian Buses is 100% compliant), petrol cars (95%) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (86%).

However, more than half of diesel cars and a third of light goods vehicles (including vans) travelling on the main routes into Edinburgh don’t comply with the requirements of the LEZ.

A city centre LEZ was introduced in Edinburgh on 31 May 2022, along with LEZs in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. In Edinburgh, a two-year grace period is in place, meaning no penalty charges will be issued during this time. 

LEZ restrictions will apply to motor vehicles, except motorcycles and mopeds. Vehicles must meet the minimum emissions standards to drive within the zone, though national exemptions apply including for blue badge holders and emergency vehicles.

A consultation is currently underway on suite of action plans designed to support the delivery of the City Mobility Plan to 2030, addressing everything from air quality to road safety, public transport to active travel. 

Environmental campaigners have welcomed the start of Glasgow’s low emission zone.

Gracie Bradley, director at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “The beginning of Glasgow’s low emission zone is a moment to celebrate real progress in the city. Glasgow has persistent air pollution problems caused by transport, and people who live and work here have been breathing toxic air for many years. Finally, after years of promises, the council is taking action.

“We know that low emission zones work because they’ve been successful in hundreds of places across Europe. Glasgow’s zone has already had a positive impact since it began restricting the most polluting buses, but there is no safe level of air pollution.

“Changing the way we get around the city needs to remain a priority – we want to see better public transport, the end of developments that require cars, and safer cycling routes to tackle toxic air, reduce our impact on the planet and make Glasgow a better place to live.”

Find out more about the LEZ. 

Clean Air Day takes place on 15 June.

Wardie Bay becomes Scotland’s newest bathing water

  • Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and JustTransition Màiri McAllan, designates Wardie Bay as a Scottish bathing water. 
  • Designation brings the total number of Bathing Waters in Scotland to 89. 
  • Samples will be taken by SEPA to monitor water quality and the bathing water will receive an official classification for the 2024 season. 
  • Locals and visitors encouraged to play their part in protecting and improving the quality of the new bathing water. 

Wardie Bay in Edinburgh has become Scotland’s newest bathing water, following a decision by Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan to designate it for the 2023 season. 

This decision, along with Fisherrow Sands in East Lothian becoming the first bathing water to be re-designated, is a real boost for the shore along the south of the Forth – and brings the total number of Scottish bathing waters to 89. 

The Scottish bathing water season begins on 1st June and runs until 15th September, with 1,500 water samples taken by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) staff at bathing waters around the country. These are analysed in its accredited laboratories, and the results posted online. Once the season is finished each bathing water will receive an official classification for 2024. 

Application for designation 

The application for bathing water status was submitted by Wardie Bay Beachwatch and The Wild Ones who demonstrated that a large number of bathers use the water and there was community support for designation. The city council supported the designation, accepting required duties around signage and beach cleaning. 

Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition said: “As a result of our investment in protecting and improving bathing waters across Scotland we now have the highest number of designated Bathing Water sites ever, with 98% passing bathing water quality standards and more rated as ‘excellent’ than ever before. 

“However, we are not complacent. We continue to work closely with SEPA and Scottish Water to monitor and improve water quality on our designated beaches and in our designated lochs, to ensure that as many people as possible are able to enjoy them throughout this summer and beyond.”  

Ruth Stidson, SEPA’s Principal Scientist for bathing waters, said: “It’s great news, especially for the local community, that Wardie Bay has been designated for the 2023 season by the Cabinet Secretary – and with Fisherrow re-designated, Scotland now has 89 bathing waters, more than any previous year.  

“Designation of waters large numbers of people use for bathing over the summer months means they can be monitored, protected and, if necessary, improved. 

“We’ve seen huge improvements in water quality at bathing waters over the years, and SEPA will continue this journey – through targeted regulation and working with others to achieve significant investment. This way we’ll ensure that visitors to our bathing waters, especially the thousands that live within a short walk or bike ride of our urban bathing waters, can continue to enjoy Scotland’s stunning blue spaces.”  

Win for Wardie Bay 

During 2022, SEPA sampled and reported water quality at Wardie Bay due to high community usage of the beach and an active application for bathing water designation. 

Our evidence indicates that Wardie Bay is expected to meet bathing water standards. Now designated by the Cabinet Secretary, the beach will be formally monitored and receive an official classification for 2024. 

Karen Bates, Wardie Bay Beachwatch, said: “It has taken much time and effort to achieve this result for the #wardiebay4bathingwater campaign. We can finally be delighted that Wardie Bay is to be a protected bathing water. 

“We are grateful to Cabinet Secretary Mairi McAllan for her progressive decision and for support from Council members who surmounted the obstacles to designation at this complex site. We are grateful too that SEPA published the essential information for Wardie swimmers in 2022. Thanks particularly to all those who help protect Wardie Bay, who signed the petition, took part in the campaign film and contributed to the applications.” 

Cllr Scott Arthur Environment Convener, City of Edinburgh Council, said:  “This is great news for the wellbeing of our residents and visitors who enjoy taking a dip in this great stretch of Edinburgh’s coastline. I’d like to thank the users of Wardie Bay for helping it join Portobello on Edinburgh’s riviera as a bathing water beach. 

“The water will continue to be monitored by SEPA, and I’d encourage you all to do your bit to keep it and the beach clean and protect nature there by taking your litter home with you, or use a local bin. Please also, remember to pick up after dog too, if you have one.  

“Of course, you can also enjoy the beaches and support local traders along our coast at Portobello, Silverknowes and Cramond.” 

Local outdoor spaces are integral to our physical and mental health and managing them well can improve well-being and other social and cultural benefits for local communities and visitors alike.   

SEPA takes water samples over the full three and half months of Scotland’s official bathing water season, and after analysis the results are posted online. Pre-season sampling is carried out during May. 

Congratulations to Karen and all involved with the Wardie Bay campaign – you have worked so hard and so long for this success. Well done! – Ed.

Scotland’s demands for energy transition linked to social and environmental harm, new report reveals

Campaigners have called on the Scottish Government to develop a strategy to limit the demand for materials required in the transition away from fossil fuels.

This comes as a new report is released today (31 May) which highlights the widespread human rights abuses and environmental destruction being caused by mining for the minerals that are being used in the energy transition in Scotland.

The report ‘Unearthing Injustice’, commissioned by Friends of the Earth Scotland, looks at the harm being caused by lithium mining, which is used in batteries in electric vehicles, and steel, which is needed for wind turbines. The demand for these materials is going to increase significantly with the growing energy transition.

The risk that serious and extensive harm will be done through material extraction is currently being ignored by Scottish policy makers. This lack of concern about material extraction also jeopardises Scotland’s ability to meet its climate commitments. Uncertain supply of materials needed to build the energy infrastructure means that there is a risk that Scotland’s renewable energy system cannot be delivered as required in Scottish Government plans.

The report found:
– The social and environmental impacts of mining of transition minerals are extensive, from human rights abuses and unsafe labour conditions to carbon intensive extraction techniques, water pollution and biodiversity loss
– Demand for lithium is expected to increase by between 13 and 50 times from 2020 to 2040
– There could be lithium shortages as soon as 2025, with only 1% of lithium recycled currently
– In Scotland, 82% of lithium consumption is for electric vehicle batteries
– There is 1 million tonnes of steel in Scotland’s current offshore wind developments – this will increase to 14 million tonnes by 2050
– Steel production generates 7% of global carbon emissions
– The only way to limit the impact of these materials to sustainable levels is to minimise the need for them

Reducing the demand for lithium and steel can be achieved through measures like changing transport systems so we need fewer cars, and improving reuse and recycling of materials so they can be used more than once. If Scotland’s fossil fuel cars are replaced with more buses, lithium requirements could be reduced by 32% compared with like for like replacement.

The Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan includes plans for decarbonising Scotland’s transport network but fails to consider where the lithium needed to do this will come from.

Mining is associated with conflict because exploitation of mineral resources impacts upon nearby communities. It is an extremely energy intensive process and generates large amounts of toxic waste. Mining companies are failing to meet their minimum responsibilities to protect human life and the environment, leading to extensive and serious impacts globally.

The report found that lithium used in Scottish products is most likely to come from Chile and Australia, where Indigenous communities have come into conflict with mining companies. Steel used in Scottish wind turbines is likely to include significant amounts of iron ore from Brazil, where there have been two major tailing dam disasters in the last decade. A 2019 disaster in Minas Gerais killed at least 244 people.

Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Transitioning away from fossil fuels is vital for a livable planet, but we must not create another crisis in doing so.

“Materials like lithium and steel are essential for renewables and electric vehicles, but we can’t ignore the serious harm being caused by their extraction.

“We want to see a Scotland which takes no more resources than it needs and, when resources are taken, it’s done in a way which isn’t harming communities or nature anywhere in the world.

“The overall demand for materials must be reduced by moving Scotland to a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled rather than being thrown away after one use, and by focusing on public services rather than private ones.

“We simply cannot replace all our current petrol and diesel cars with electric cars like for like – we need better public transport, so we don’t need as many cars overall. Scotland could take advantage of the large supply of scrap steel available from within our borders and our low carbon electricity grid to produce some of the greenest steel in the world.

“The Scottish Government urgently needs to create a resource justice strategy to make sure Scotland’s material use is fair and sustainable as soon as possible.”

Andy Whitmore, co-chair of London Mining Network, said: “From the deserts of the Atacama to coke ovens in Nova Scotia, our research exposes the human rights and environmental concerns that lie behind the supply chains for minerals associated with the energy transition.

“As governments focus on perceived scarcity there is not enough attention being paid to addressing those abuses, which a commitment to globally fair transition should entail. Proper supply chain due diligence would protect the environment, the rights of workers and of impacted communities, including free, prior and informed consent for Indigenous peoples.”

Jake Simms, co-author of the report, said: “Our research demonstrates the urgent need for a resource justice strategy that delivers justice to workers and communities globally impacted by mineral extraction, processing and manufacturing.

“A resource justice strategy must both drive supply chain justice and minimise mineral demand. Delivering supply chain justice means establishing a publicly owned energy company, enforcing strict due diligence standards and a reparative trade policy that ensures communities impacted by extraction are fairly compensated.”

Unearthing-Injustice-1Download

Producers urged to address ‘flushable’ wet wipes labelling

The UK Government has stepped up action to tackle harmful plastics and clean up England’s waterways by challenging producers of wet wipes to address concerns over how they label their products.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has written to wet wipes producers setting out her concerns about the number of wet wipes that are flushed down UK toilets – between 2.1 – 2.9 billion each year – and has asked them to reconsider the use of the word ‘flushable’ on packaging to help prevent sewer blockages and water pollution.

Wet wipes contribute to 94 percent of sewer blockages, which can lead to damage to properties and can result in sewage-related litter entering the environment.

It is estimated that water companies spend £100m each year dealing with this. The Environment Secretary has told producers that labels saying ‘flushable’ or ‘fine to flush’ may encourage consumers to dispose of wipes down the toilet, rather than disposing of them responsibly in the bin.

Wet wipes producers have now been asked to set out how they will address these concerns.

Lat week (26 May) Water Minister Rebecca Pow attended a summit in Paris, where the UK, alongside 52 other members of the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) to End Plastic Pollution (HAC), has signed a far-reaching Joint Ministerial Statement that calls for a range of mandatory provisions to be included in the global plastic pollution treaty, currently under negotiation.

Water Minister, Rebecca Pow said: “It is vital that producers are more transparent with their guidance on flushability, as ultimately wet wipes that are dumped down the toilet can cause damage to our environment and water quality.

“This is alongside the wider action we’re taking on water quality, including tougher enforcement for water companies, more investment and tighter regulation to stop pollution happening in the first place.”

This action follows on from commitments made in the UK government’s Plan for Water to write to producers and advertising authorities about using the word ‘flushable’ on wet wipes packaging.

The Plan for Water also committed to a public consultation on the proposal to ban wet wipes containing plastic, responding to public calls to tackle the blight of plastic in our waterways and building on recent action from major retailers including Boots and Tesco. The government will work with industry and making sure plastic-free alternatives are always available to the public.

These plans build on the Westminster Government’s previous efforts to eliminate avoidable plastic waste, including:

  • One of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products announced in 2018
  • Restrictions on the supply of single-use plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds in 2020.
  • Plastic Packaging Tax in April 2022 – a tax of £200 per tonne on plastic packaging manufactured in, or imported into the UK, that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic.

Following the huge success of the 5p single-use carrier bag charge, in May 2021 the UK Government also increased the minimum charge to 10p and extended it to all retailers, taking billions of bags out of circulation.

Earlier this month water and sewage companies in England apologised for sewage spills and launched a ‘massive transformation programme’ following growing public anger over polluted rivers and waterways while the water companies continue to enjoy massive profits.

  • £10 billion – more than triple current levels – ready to be invested in a new National Overflows Plan, enabling the biggest modernisation of sewers since the Victorian era, and the most ambitious programme on sewage spills in the world.
  • A new Environmental hub, launching next year, will for the first time give everyone near real-time information on overflows, as well as the state of our rivers and coastal waters.
  • Companies will also support up to 100 communities to create new protected waters for swimming and recreation.

Water and sewage companies in England have today (18 May) apologised for not acting quickly enough on sewage spills. To put things right, industry plans to make the largest ever investment in storm overflows as part of a major programme to reduce spills into rivers and seas.

In addition, a new national environmental hub with information on all 15,000 overflows in the country will increase transparency and allow the public to hold companies to account.

The industry’s plan includes the following three commitments:

1. Accelerating progress

We are today confirming companies’ readiness to invest what is needed to deliver the ambition set out in the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan. This could involve additional funding of £10 billion this decade, more than tripling (and adding to) current levels of investment of £3.1bn 2020-25. If approved by regulators, we expect that, by 2030, through this initial wave of investment will will aim to cut sewage overflows by up to 140,000 each year compared to the level in 2020. This will kick-off the first wave of a massive transformation programme across 350,000 miles of sewer (a length that would stretch 14 times round the world).

Water companies across the country will aim to:

  • Install the equivalent of thousands of new Olympic swimming pools to hold surges in rainwater that would otherwise overload the system;
  • Increase the capacity of sewage treatment works, allowing them to treat higher volumes of rainfall and sewage;
  • Replace concrete with grass and ponds to reduce rainfall run-off entering sewers, protecting them against the overloading that causes spills;
  • Treat overflow spills so they have much less impact on the river, including through reed beds, wetlands and other nature-friendly projects; and
  • Improve the sewer network by enlarging and improving pipes, allowing them to safely carry more sewage during peak times, and fixing misconnected pipes from properties.

A detailed National Overflows Plan will be published later this summer, explaining each companies’ approach to improving their overflows. This will include when improvements can be expected, and (as projects are developed) how improvements will be delivered and the expected results. For the first time, communities across the country will be able to find out exactly when overflows in their area will be improved and be able to hold their water and sewerage company to account.

2. More transparency to improve accountability

Water and sewage companies will collaborate on creating, by this time next year, a new independently-overseen National Environment Data Hub to provide the public with up-to-date information on the operation of all 15,000 sewage overflows in England. For the first time in the world, any member of the public will be able to get national ‘near real time’ (within the hour) information on what is happening, building on the requirement on individual companies set out in the Government’s world-leading Environment Act.

This will strengthen accountability, help the public to track progress and empower swimmers and others with the information they need. In addition, as thousands of new river quality monitors come online (planned to be installed from 2025 onwards), this additional data will also be added to the Hub to let people see the real-world impact on rivers.

3. Supporting new bathing rivers

Water and sewage companies will help up to 100 communities interested in protecting rivers and other outdoor areas of water (like lakes and reservoirs) for the purpose of swimming and recreation. Each water and sewage company in England will also support the roll-out of new river swimming areas, by providing help to up to 100 communities to test the water, draw up plans, apply for legal protection, and work with regulators to fix local sources of pollution.

Industry will also develop guidance and toolkits and support citizen scientists to help local groups navigate what can be a burdensome process.

Ruth Kelly, Chair of Water UK, said: “The message from the water and sewage industry today is clear: we are sorry. More should have been done to address the issue of spillages sooner and the public is right to be upset about the current quality of our rivers and beaches.

“We have listened and have an unprecedented plan to start to put it right. This problem cannot be fixed overnight, but we are determined to do everything we can to transform our rivers and seas in the way we all want to see.”

Unlike England, Scotland’s water remains in public ownership.

What makes a strong community?

What do you think makes a strong community?
 How can we improve or change things for the better? 
Are you interested in climate and environmental issues?
 
Your voice and opinion matters!
 
June 7th 
 
Workshop 1    10.30 – 12.00 am
Workshop 2      7.00 –  8.30 pm
 
 
You are warmly invited to come along to a relaxed and informal workshop and be part of a conversation about these questions.  We’ll have free refreshments on offer and the discussion will be supported by a couple of facilitators who will help guide the discussion.  No previous knowledge is required, we simply hope you will bring along your thoughts, opinion insights and hopes for your community’s future.  
 
Please let me know if you’d like to take part in one of these sessions by emailing lynne.porteous@heartofnewhaven.co.uk and letting me know whether the morning or evening workshop works best for you.  Please also let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements.


 
This event is organised by Restoration Forth, Heart of Newhaven and WWF (World Wildlife Fund) to gather information on community resilience.  Your contribution is voluntary and confidential, but the anonymised results from discussions will be used to build a better picture of people’s perceptions, attitudes and practices around the Firth of Forth and the local community 

Water scarcity risk increases for businesses ahead of warm, dry weather

Alert level has been reached for the first time this year in the latest water scarcity report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

The area around Loch Maree in the Highlands has recorded very low river flows and dry ground conditions, meaning businesses abstracting water from the environment need to start thinking now about the volume they take and when they take it, or consider an alternative source.

The risk of water scarcity is categorised in four levels – Early Warning, Alert, Moderate Scarcity and Significant Scarcity.

Areas in southern and central Scotland, and the majority of the north including the Western Isles, are also now in Early Warning.

Head of Water and Planning at SEPA, Nathan Critchlow-Watton, said: “With very little to no rainfall forecast across Scotland in the coming days, we expect ground conditions to continue getting drier and river flows to decrease or remain low.

“The next few weeks and months are a crucial time of year for water demand and we’re urging abstractors to manage water wisely, minimising the need for restrictions to be imposed by SEPA.”

Scotland’s climate is changing and, across the seasons, businesses are experiencing the impacts of more frequent extreme weather events like water scarcity.

The number of serious drought events is projected to increase from an average of one every 20 years, to one every two years in the near future.

Nathan Critchlow-Watton added: “We all have a role to play in managing our water environment, this summer and beyond. Through the efficient use of water, businesses can increase their resilience to the impacts of prolonged dry conditions and save money.”

Several industries across Scotland rely on natural water resources, whether it’s for food and drink production, hydropower or maintaining world famous golf courses.

All water abstractors should be aware of the potential risk of water scarcity, monitor their water use, and plan ahead.

Businesses should review available options to increase their resilience and reduce the impacts of water scarcity. For example, land managers could consider investing in equipment and infrastructure to improve efficiency, such as an irrigation lagoon.

Those collecting water from the same source are urged to work together with neighbours and stagger abstractions to make best use of available water.

Further advice and support is available at www.sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity.

Celebrate! Wardie Bay Beach Party

Wardie Bay is a Scottish Bathing Water in 2023!

On 8th June, World Ocean Day, 7pm-late, please come and celebrate the Wardie Bay Bathing Water designation.

Bring a costume, friends and something to drink or nibble and we’ll hopefully sing to the sea with gratitude to everyone involved in making this finally happen.

THANK YOU !!!

#WardieBay4BathingWater

Tomorrow: Future-proof your home!

Happening this Wednesday evening, 7pm at Stockbridge Parish Church!

Find out how you can make your tenement flat or house more energy efficient, find funding to support you, and save money on your bills.

👉

Register here: http://bit.ly/StockbridgeEvent

Pupils celebrate Walk to School Week at Scottish Parliament

Pupils from Edinburgh and Scottish Borders schools joined MSPs outside Scottish Parliament to celebrate Walk to School Week yesterday (17 May 2023).

Walk to School Week is organised by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking as part of their National Walking Month campaign each May.

Families are encouraged to walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ for the whole week to see the big differences that come from small steps, from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates.

Over 250 schools in Scotland signed up to receive special Walk to School Week packs from Living Streets, joining 356,000 pupils across the UK to learn about the important reasons to walk to school and the difference it can make to individuals, communities and the planet.

The charity is working with over 170 additional Scottish schools this academic year to deliver WOW – the walk to school challenge.

WOW is a pupil-led initiative where children self-report how they get to school every day using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker. Pupils who travel actively at least once a week for a month are rewarded with a WOW badge.

WOW schools see on average a 5 -10% increase in pupils walking to school in Scotland with a corresponding drop in car use, helping to reduce congestion and increase safety outside the school gates.   

Stuart Hay, Director, Living Streets Scotland said: “Walk to School Week is an excellent opportunity for families to give walking to school a go. Walking our short journeys helps us stay healthy, while reducing traffic, pollution and road danger on our local streets.

“We’re delighted that so many of our schools were able to join us to celebrate the great strides Scottish pupils are making to get more active and tackle the climate emergency.”

Patrick Harvie MSP, Minister for Active Travel said: “I’m pleased to support Walk to School Week. Walking to school is a simple step that many young people and their parents and carers can make for a healthier and happier start to the day – with each step improving health and taking climate action.

“More people walking or wheeling means fewer cars, less congestion and safer environments for everyone to enjoy – both outside the school gates and beyond. I hope many people who try making the change during Walk to School Week will find that it’s a change they want to stick with, every week of the year.

“I’m grateful to the pupils from various local schools that took the time to walk to the Scottish Parliament, helping encourage even more people to choose active and sustainable travel.”

Christine Grahame MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale said: “It’s great to see Living Streets actively encouraging our primary school pupils to walk more and reduce congestion at the school gates and in built-up areas, especially during Walk to School Week!

“Walking is so important for young bodies and minds; the WOW Challenge is a great incentive to get pupils and their parents walking and actively travelling”.

Living Streets celebrated Walk to School Week with a group of Edinburgh and Borders schoolchildren taking a trip to the Scottish Parliament on the 17th of May, where MSPs were invited to join in on the festivities.

Foysol Choudhury MSP for Lothian Region said: “I am pleased to be supporting Walk to School Week once again this year. It is a great initiative that encourages families to change their school run habits and choose to walk to school instead.

“It is a healthy option that allows children and their parents or guardians to be more active, reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and road safety. I hope this week will raise awareness of the importance of walking to school and various benefits to the community and environment and, will in turn motivate families to make walking to school a daily habit”.

Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire said: “It was great to join Living Streets outside the Scottish Parliament alongside pupils from Burnfoot Primary School.

“Living Streets is doing fantastic work in encouraging young people to walk to school and it is important we keep our children active and reduce congestion in built-up areas.”

Edinburgh schools attending: Abbeyhill Primary School, Broughton Primary School, Bruntsfield Primary School, Cramond Primary School, Parsons Green Primary School.

Scottish Borders schools attending: Burnfoot Primary School, Chirnside Primary School, Heriot Primary School, Langlee Primary School, Stow Primary School, Tweedbank Primary School.